Indianapolis Colts (9-4) vs Houston Texans (4-9)
Game Info: Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 1:00 pm (Lucas Oil Stadium)
Betting Odds: Indianapolis Colts -7 -- Over/Under: 50.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Houston Texans will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday afternoon in NFL actin.
The Houston Texans lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 4-9 on the season after being defeated by Chicago Bears, 36-7, this past Sunday. Houston was outplayed on both ends of the field and had no chance of fighting back after going into halftime trailing by a 30-7 margin. Houston was outgained by Chicago by a 410-263 margin and lost the turnover battle of a 2-0 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the for the Texans was QB Deshaun Watson who completed 21 of 30 passes for 219 yards & 1 TD while also adding 38 rushing yards.
On the season, Houston is averaging 22.7 ppg on 375.5 total yards per game (289.3 passing yds/g; 86.2 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Houston has been led by QB Deshaun Watson who has completed 68.9% of his passes for 3,761 yards, 25 TD, & 6 INT. Houston has been hit hard when it comes to WR depth as Will Fuller (suspension) & Randall Cobb (injury) are out of the season leaving Brandin Cooks (57 rec, 784 yards, 3 TD), Keke Coutee (17 rec, 203 yards, 2 TD), and Jordan Akins (27 rec, 305 yards, TD) as the main receiving threats. Cooks missed last week due to injury, however, should be back for this matchup. In the Houston backfield, David Johnson (113 att, 452 yards, 4 TD) should be back after missing last week due to Covid-19 and if he can’t go, the Texans will rely on both Duke Johnson (77 att, 235 yards, TD) & Buddy Howell (11 att, 42 yards).
Defensively, Houston is allowing their opponents to average 27.6 ppg on 422.3 total yards per game (270.0 passing yds/g; 152.3 rushing yds/g).
The Indianapolis Colts won their 2nd straight game and improved to 9-4 on the season after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders, 44-27, this past Sunday. Indianapolis was outstanding on the offensive end throughout the game and pulled away early in the 4th quarter after a Jonathan Taylor 3-yard TD run gave the Colts a 34-20 lead with 9:23 left in regulation. Indianapolis outgained Las Vegas by a 456-424 margin and won the turnover battle by a 3-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Colts was RB Jonathan Taylor who had 150 yards & 2 TD’s on 20 carries.
On the season, Indianapolis is averaging 28.6 ppg on 384.1 total yards per game (271.1 passing yds/g; 113.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Indianapolis has been led by the RB trio of Jonathan Taylor (168 att, 759 yards, 6 TD; 31 rec, 286 yards, TD), Jordan Wilkins (84 att, 308 yards, TD), and Nyheim Hines (74 att, 276 yards, 3 TD; 51 rec, 401 yards, 4 TD). QB Phillip Rivers has completed 68.1% of his passes for 3,507 yards, 20 TD, & 9 INT. The top receiving targets for the Colts have been T.Y. Hilton (46 rec, 604 yards, 4 TD), Zach Pascal (34 rec, 445 yards, 2 TD), and Michael Pittman Jr. (33 rec, 418 yards, TD).
Defensively, Indianapolis is allowing their opponents to average 23.1 ppg on 341.7 total yards per game (242.5 passing yds/g; 99.2 rushing yds/g).
The Texans are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall and 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 road games. The Colts are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 5-2-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Houston is coming off one of their worst performances of the season, however, the offense which was already short-handed was missing two of their more important pieces in Brandin Cooks & David Johnson. Indianapolis has their offense rolling right now to go along with an above average defense, however, 4 of the last 5 games between these teams (including early this season) have been within a TD and as the Colts are a little more vulnerable defensively against opposing passing attacks, I think DeShaun Watson and the Texas bounce back here and keep this one close enough to cover with the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Houston Texans +7
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
